How to Create a Productive Home Office Environment

Everyone has that one room in their home that they’d like to change into something else. Storage.com is here to help provide you with ideas and the storage necessary to make a transformation.

Have you decided that it’s time to make an office at home? As technology continues its ever-forward progress, telecommuting has gone from a possibility to a reality for many employees in the last decade.

According to a MarketWatch report, a dedicated home office space is becoming the new must-have room in any home. While a home office may be as simple as a desk in a nook, the report states that 77% of people surveyed would turn any room not dedicated as a bedroom into a home office in their next home. This trend is fueled by more people working from home part-time, as Global Workplace Analytics shows that regularly working at home has grown 103% since 2005—and that’s only among the non-self-employed.

If you’re one of more than 3.7 million people who are working from home part-time, you may want to know more about how to turn a guest room into a home office or convert a nook into a productive workspace. Storage.com is here to help with a few simple and helpful tips on how to create a productive home office.

TREAT YOUR OFFICE LIKE YOU WOULD AT WORK

The number one issue to deal with when working from home is distractions. Whether it be kids, pets, the T.V., laundry, or other household chores—there’s likely something occupying your mind besides work. If applicable, have a plan in place for the kids, make sure you’re not near the T.V., and do any chores the day or night before.

It is also important to keep the same routine you would do if you were going into work. Get up and ready at the same time, dress like you normally would, and any other morning routines. Avoid rolling out of bed and working in your PJ’s—as tempting as that may be—so that you’re able to stay alert from the get-go.

GOOD LIGHTING IS KEY TO STAYING ALERT

Speaking of staying alert, the right lighting can help you do so. Everyone responds differently to various types of light, whether it be the need for natural light or additional artificial light. Find out which works best for you.

If you’re working from home while it’s dreary outside, try a desk lamp along with the overhead lighting. If you’re lucky and it’s sunny outside, you might find that the sunshine is all you need. It may take some trial and error to see which type of lighting allows you to be the most productive, but having the right type of light is essential!

USE RELIABLE TECHNOLOGY

Nothing is more frustrating than encountering a bad internet connection right in the middle of your work. It can put the brakes on your motivation and lead to frustration—both of which will crush your productivity in no time. If you’re someone who plans to work from home on a semi-regular basis, you’ll want to invest in the proper technology.

In order to best prevent those unexpected technological difficulties, make sure you can answer yes to the following questions:

Do you have anti-virus software installed on your computer?

Is all of your work stored in a back-up filing system?

Do you have a strong internet and/or WiFi connection?

Have you done preventative maintenance with a professional?

INVEST IN A CHAIR WITH BACK SUPPORT

If you’re going to be sitting for a minimum of eight hours, you’ll want to be comfortable. It may be easiest to grab a kitchen chair or plop on the couch, but neither of these are good choices. Kitchen chairs are not meant for long-term seating and the couch may cause you to fall asleep or be tempted to turn on the T.V.

There are several things to consider when picking the right office chair. Is there lumbar support? Is it adjustable? Is it easy to move? Narrow down your choices by reading online reviews for the chairs that interest you. While a chair might be comfortable for the first five minutes, it may not be after a few hours. Once you’ve settled on a chair or two with good reviews, try it before you buy it. You may also ask about the store’s return policy in the event that the chair doesn’t work out.

CREATE EFFICIENT STORAGE SOLUTIONS

Whether you’re a naturally-organized person or not, keep your office clean and tidy. Keep both the items on your desk and items around you to a minimum in order to eliminate distractions and easily find what you’re looking for.

The best way to do this is by having proper storage, starting with the desk. Organize papers in office trays and keep writing utensils in a desk caddy. If you have stacks of documents and files, opt for a file cabinet instead of leaving them on your desk. Lastly, if you have books and/or manuals that you need for reference from time to time, organize them in a nice bookshelf.

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH INSPIRING DECOR

This is the fun part: decorating! Unless you do well working in a minimalist environment, surround yourself with a few items that put you in a good mood.

FIND THE PERFECT WORKSPACE

Now that you know everything you need for a productive home office environment, it’s time to decide where in your home you can incorporate these tips for a successful workspace.

The most ideal option for home office is in a room with a door. If you have a spare room that is currently collecting clutter, clear it out and turn it into an office. Do you have a big enough space underneath the stairs that you could convert without feeling claustrophobic? Check out these five designs for workspaces under the stairs.

If neither of these options work for you, pick a corner in the family room, living room, or basement and set up shop there. Make sure to set up your desk so that you’re facing the wall. Otherwise, it may be tempting to stare outside or begin day dreaming! We also suggest investing in noise-cancelling headphones to block out any audible distractions.

Use Self Storage to Transform a Room in Your Home

Everyone has that one room in their home that they’d like to change into something else. Storage.com is here to help provide you with ideas and the storage necessary to make a transformation.

Many people have a spare room in their home that is being used as nothing more than a catch-all for storing anything and everything. If you could just find somewhere else to store all of those extra belongings, the possibilities for that spare room are endless! You can transform a room into something you’ve always wanted. It could easily be transformed into a man cave, craft room, home gym, game room, home theater, photography studio, trophy room, library, spa, music room, kids’ play room, office, pet room, or anything else you can dream of.

The easiest way to take that space back, and get started on the transformation, is to use self storage for everything that’s in the room already. Starting with a blank slate can give you the boost of inspiration you need to transform that room into a room you’ve always wanted. Best of all, you can easily find a storage unit that fits your needs.

Fits Your Belongings

Storage units come in all shapes and sizes, so you will have no trouble finding a unit that can store all of the extra belongings you’ve piled into your spare room. With sizes ranging from 5×5 to 10×30 and beyond, you’ll be able to get everything out of that room so you can truly enjoy the space.

Fits Your Budget

Self storage is a very affordable option for gaining more storage space, with units starting as low as $25 a month. Instead of moving into a larger home or adding on to your existing one, a storage unit allows you to gain more square footage in your home while staying within your budget.

Fits Your Lifestyle

Storage facilities are all over the place, so you can find a location that is most convenient for you. Plus, with some facilities offering 24 hour and drive-up access, it’ll be easier than ever to grab the items you need out of storage. The best part is, you won’t have to get rid of any valuable items in order to create the room of your dreams.

Logan Livers often writes blog posts about using storage units for creative purposes and for storing outdoor equipment. In his spare time, he likes watching college sports, traveling, playing basketball, and being outdoors.

I agree that whenever we have that extra space around the house, we would most likely convert it into storage. There are just too many things that keep piling up on a daily basis that we simply fail to keep up. I would normally de-clutter that particular area and get rid of unwanted belongings and for the rest of them, a self storage would be perfect to temporarily stow them away while I convert the area into something more meaningful.

About Storage.com

Storage.com offers a complete self storage shopping experience that makes finding, comparing, and renting a storage unit simple. Storage.com also provides information and resources that can help you find the best storage solution for your needs. Our customer help center is happy to answer any questions you may have or even help you find a unit in your area.